[NCLUG] Linux on laptop - can I buy any laptop I want, or do I still need to check for hardware compatibility?

[Kasey Erickson]

The wifi chipset is the only part I worry about, now days.  In my
experience Intel wifi is best supported.  I haven't found one that
doesn't work well.

Across all of their offerings Broadcomm isn't as supported as Intel.
Some are solid, others have weird issues under load.

I've had bad luck with Atheros, very flaky with the latest kernels.  YMMV.

> ... Any suggestions as to how to check
> quickly and efficiently so as to not delay bidding?

The only way to know is to run on real hardware.  Easiest that way is
to boot live CD the latest Ubuntu 64 bit, 10.04 LTS, install all the
proprietary drivers, use the wifi, run glx-gears etc.

Kasey


On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 11:42 AM, John Gilmore
<j.arthur.gilmore at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm going to be buying a couple of laptops of my children, and maybe one for
> my wife, and since I haven't looked at hardware compatibility levels in
> years I have to ask.
>
> Last time I bought a computer, I checked to be sure that the video chip
> supports 3D acceleration under linux. I'm assuming that with a laptop I also
> have to check that the wireless chip is supported? Anything else that may
> cause big problems?
>
> I'll be buying used laptops, probably about 2-3 years old. Do I still need
> to check for linux compatibility? Or havce things improved to the point that
> any 2-yr old laptop will work fine? Any suggestions as to how to check
> quickly and efficiently so as to not delay bidding?
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